Han Yu suddenly pictured Duan as a sly fox wrapped in an Inner Disciple's robes, lecturing them about "the deeper meaning of rewards" while casually pocketing every treasure under the sun.
A thought struck him, and he almost snorted aloud. 'Was that entire little moral lesson just… a justification to keep the core for himself?'
"Don't be discouraged, junior brothers. Even ruins can yield rewards. See? This shiny orb? A fine treasure indeed… for me."
Han Yu coughed into his hand to cover the laugh threatening to spill out.
Fatty Kui walked alongside him, humming softly under his breath and no doubt thinking about food again.
Han Yu glanced at him, then at Wu Shuan.
Neither of them seemed to notice or care that Duan had claimed the reward without discussion. Either they were too polite to mention it, or they had already accepted the rule of the jungle: the one who does the killing gets the spoils.
